The Abia State government says it will continue to make the welfare of the families of security personnels that died in active service in the state a top priority.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba who stated this at Government House Umuahia, while handing over cheques to the deceased spouses, said the money is solely to cater for the educational needs of their children.
Pastor Ajagba also explained that the gesture is in fulfillment of Governor Alex Otti’s promise to the bereaved families when he visited them and pledged governments continued support towards the welfare of their families.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor urged the children of the deceased to ensure they reciprocate the gesture by taking their studies more seriously, adding that government will see them through school up to university level.
“The unfortunate incident occurred while the departed personnels were in active duty. I recall the day His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti paid a condolence visit to your families, and being a father that understands what pain it is for one to loose a loved one and seeing the state of the dependant relatives of the gallant security personnels, he made a firm promise that he will see that the general wellbeing including security and general upkeep will be a priority in his administration.”
“Since the unfortunate incident, the present administration has been in constant touch with your families. Most times, we have been the people calling and following up and making demands for specific information that will help us in processing the academics and entire benefits.”
“Today, we are here gathered to make sure that those promises that were made are also fulfilled. That speaks to the kind of person His Excellency is. It is one thing to make a promise and another thing to fulfill that promise.” Pastor Ajagba stated.
He further disclosed that government will also monitor the general wellbeing of the affected families to ensure that the wives of the deceased security personnels are meaningfully engaged.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Unamka Olachi thanked Governor Alex Otti for his magnanimity and promised that the funds will be utilized for the sole purpose for which it was meant for.
Our correspondent reports that the Chief Security Officer to the Governor, CSP Ken Nwosu, Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs, Comrade Chinedum Nwosu, the Director of Administration, Government House Umuahia, Dr Nwaomiko Udo-Nwokocha and her Finance counterpart, Mrs Onyedikachi Charity-Ogwo witnessed the handover.
